5-Year-Old Abducted By "Unstable" Mother Back Home With Caring Aunt
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COCONUT CREEK (CBSMiami) – Julian Kiley arrived home to the Coconut Creek neighborhood where he lives with his aunt and temporary caregiver, Stephanie Kiley, around 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
"Julian is now home safe and sound," Stephanie Kiley told reporters, adding, "it's been a crazy 24 hours."
The family drama unfolded Monday morning around midnight when Coconut Creek police said Tiffany Kiley, Julian's mother, arrived at Stephanie Kiley's home, woke the boy and took him, running, to a waiting car.
An Amber Alert was issued and a search commenced.
Tiffany Kiley recently lost custody of Julian and police believe she wanted to take him to her native Massachusetts.
However, she stopped in Leesburg, near Orlando, called into an already scheduled court hearing about the case and turned herself in.
Late Monday, Stephanie Kiley texted CBS4 News pictures of her joyful reunion with 5-year-old Julian.
"He was ecstatic when he saw me," she said. "He was very happy to be back in my arms."
Stephanie Kiley said Julian is confused about what happened but mainly wanted to nap in the car on the way home and watch cartoons once he returned.
Stephanie Kiley believes the Amber Alert system worked perfectly and she is grateful for everyone's prayers and good wishes.
"Our family truly thanks every single one of you for supporting us and making sure that this happened as quickly as possible," she said.
Stephanie Kiley said her focus is twofold – getting her sister the help she needs and providing a stable, loving home for Julian.
"I'm very positive," she said. "I will make sure that Julian will get the care that he needs."
Tiffany Kiley remains jailed in Lake County and awaits extradition to Broward County. She faces two charges – burglary of an occupied dwelling and interference in the custody of a minor.
Coconut Creek detectives spoke with the man who was driving the car that Julian was in. Following the interview, detectives said he would not be charged. Apparently, he had just met her last week and had no idea what was happening.
Stephanie Kiley told CBS4 News that she would like to have full custody of Julian. There's another court hearing in the family court case in early May.
